Imagine that you have spent years doing the work you are meant to do. It’s stressful, but you think you manage it well. You always wanted to help people. Their suffering is one of your main driving factors in choosing this path. However, you notice that you have recently started having negative feelings when you come to work. You feel helpless, tired, and cut off from the emotions that once drove you to do this job. What are these signs of? How can you bring yourself back? In this Assignment, you compare three different conditions a social worker might experience, related to trauma exposure and professional overwhelm: vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout.To prepare:
- Review the Learning Resources on vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
- Consider the similarities and differences among these reactions to stress and trauma exposure. Also think about the implications of vicarious trauma for social workers.
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you:
- Explain the similarities and differences among vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
- Explain the similarities and differences between vicarious trauma and countertransference.
- Identify and explain two implications that vicarious trauma might have for social workers. Be specific.
- Describe one insight you had or conclusion you drew for each comparison. Be specific.
Use the Learning Resources to support your Assignment. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.
